Sometimes dad needs a special gift and sometimes he just needs a really good day out. 

With Father’s Day just around the corner, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has pulled together our best spots around Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens and top gifting picks to make it a day dad won’t forget.

On the day

Explore the Bushland trails

Spot Australian wildlife while enjoying a family walk, run or bike ride through beautiful remnant bushland. With over ten kilometres of walking tracks and six kilometres of cycling tracks, the Bushland at Cranbourne Gardens is the perfect place for the dad who loves to get outdoors.

Picnic or BBQ in the Bushland

Celebrate surrounded by nature in the Woodland Picnic Area– pack your own picnic, fire up the BBQ, or treat yourself to some delicious bites from Boon Wurrung Cafe in a bushy outdoor space featuring a playground, seating and plenty of space to kick a ball around.

The Terrace and The Observatory at Melbourne Gardens

What is a trip to the city without a great bite to eat? Head to The Terrace for an elevated coffee and brunch alongside the picturesque Ornamental Lake. If lunch is more his style, grab a booking at The Observatory and enjoy a Mediterranean style meal with woodfired pizzas and fresh pasta.

Gardens Gifts

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria offers unique experiences and gifts sure to suit the tastes of any dad.

Solar Tours

Experience the wonders of our closest star—the Sun—like never before at the historic Melbourne Observatory. 

Guided by an expert from The Astronomical Society of Victoria, you’ll use the beautifully restored 4-inch Photoheliograph telescope, as well as solar projection with the Troughton & Simms telescope, to see incredible details on the surface of the Sun, including sunspots and solar granulation.

Whether dad is a curious first-timer or a seasoned space enthusiast, this is an astronomy experience not to be missed!

Stellar Nights

Join The Astronomical Society of Victoria’s guides for an unforgettable night, where the present, history and cosmos converge as you observe distant nebulae, lunar landscapes, and planetary wonders. 

Dating back to 1861, discover the Melbourne Observatory’s significant place in Victoria’s history and its continued importance as a cultural and heritage site, while also getting to see the iconic telescopes in action - and use them yourself!

Visit the Gardens Shop

Drop in to the Gardens shop to pick up a special, locally sourced gift for dad to unwrap on the day.

Indestructible and designed to last, we recommend shopping the new gardening tools range.

Bird spotting tours

Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens are both full of incredible birdlife, from spinebills to swans, fairy-wrens to wagtails. On our guided walks you’ll be given binoculars to spot birds nesting around Ornamental Lake or delight in observing their morning feeds amongst the Dry River Bed.

If there’s one thing for certain, no tour is ever the same.

The Explorer

Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis that is Melbourne Gardens or the iconic Australian landscape of the award-winning Cranbourne Gardens. Enjoy live commentary from our knowledgeable guides in the comfort of an open-air minibus. 

Live at the Gardens

After four triumphant seasons, the acclaimed open-air concert series has firmly established itself as one of the city’s most exciting live music experiences. And the excitement continues, with the fourth season set to return this November and December!

With a line-up featuring artists such as Cat Power, Regurgitator (Push Over), Dizzee Rascal and Hoodoo Gurus, it’s no wonder tickets are selling fast for what’s sure to be an incredible season.